The Goings On

Things have been quite busy here as I'm sure it is with everyone! We have been working hard on school work to complete our goals for this school year. The girls will continue to work through the summer...not as rigorous, but enought to keep their minds challenged! John Mason is growing so fast. He's standing alone for longer periods of time and is even trying to take his first steps. It won't be long! Oh, goodness....what am I in for? He is ALWAYS moving...and now he'll be moving faster!

SO....our neighbors have giant Leyland Cypress along the property line (think 20 year old trees). The trees extend about 6 feet over the property line. We've never made a big deal about it because that property line has been pasture. The trees were planted in the power company right of way - under power lines. Well, now they are a hazard (and ugly). The power company contracts Asplundh (huge tree cutting company) to cut - or butcher - trees in power lines. Finally, after 20 years, Sawnee EMC insisted that the tress be cut. WELL...the power lines are on our side (view) of the trees. See photo...

The picture above is the finished job - the butchered trees - all for OUR enjoyment. :rolling eyes: The neighbors convinced the superviser at Asplundh to basically butcher the trees around the power lines. (Again, on our side of the property.) Let me just say...I would NEVER do that to anyone. Here are the trees from the neighbors view.
Oh, wow, look at that! What a beautiful, lush view....(please note my sarcasm). Now, don't get me wrong. Brett and I are not in any way trouble makers or bad neighbors. We actually don't interact much with our neighbors other than the occasional "Hello, how are you" when we see them - they smoke pot in their shop which is next to our barn. Let's just say we don't have much in common. Anway...this entire tree cutting issue is just plain inconsiderate and rude, considering they didn't even talk to us about it. We are going to have to come to a better solution about these trees.

On a more beautiful note, here are some pics of the kids.

February

May- look at all those teeth!!

Values I Love

I was just thinking yesterday about how much I love good values. Here are a few I just had to share. :)

Kroger brand: Tater tots, sliced turkey and ham (the kind in the reusable plastic container), prepackage sliced provolone cheese, whole wheat sub rolls, (Can you tell we like sandwiches?) orange juice, whole wheat waffles, frozen veggies

Kohls: I found some really cute, modest (no too low cut, long in length) t-shirts. They are the Sonoma brand. They wash well and come in cute colors. This shirt and this shirt. (Maybe not the color shown, but the style.)

Walmart: Garanimals - these are cute (well made if you can believe it) mix and match t-shirt and pants for John Mason to play around in. They wash well and hold up nicely. $3.50 each!

Costco: Kirkland brand paper towels, toilet tissue, diapers, and baby wipes. Their produce and meats are fantastic, too.

Thanks to a Stranger

Yesterday afternoon was the time I had set aside for us to eat lunch out and run to Walmart for a few things. A trip to the store involves a diaper bag, buggy bag, coats, and of course the kiddos! :) Anyway, things can get hairy, hectic, crazy...whatever you want to call it. Yesterday, though, the children cooperated beautifully. We were headed out to the van, which by the way, was parked in a front spot. That never happens. I got the girls in the van and unloaded the bags into the back. At this point someone was waiting on my prize parking spot. I didn't hurry, but I didn't take my time either. I had to make sure that I got everything out of the buggy and into the car. I made sure that John Mason was buckled in snugly and then I was ready to go. Off we went to visit Brett at the office, then to piano lessons for Mary Blakely. When we arrived at piano lessons a few minutes early, I thought I would sit in the back with the kids and play with John. WELL....my diaper bag was not in the van. NOWHERE. My stomach flipped. I realized that while I was trying to get out the the prize spot at Walmart, I had carelessly left my diaper bag...AND WALLET (right on top of the bag)...in the buggy....in the parking lot buggy corral at Walmart!!! Unbelievable!! To make it short, a WONDERFUL, KIND, HONEST person took my bag into Walmart and gave it to the customer service clerk. Everything was there. Every penny, postage stamp, check...everything. Thanks be to God for his protection! Thank you to the kind, honest stranger.